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Wednesday, 11 December 2013

Advent

Two weeks ago the snow
arrived and it was so beautiful. It’s gone again now but it’ll be back soon.
The arrival of the first snow was wonderfully timed for the start of December.

I love the month of
December. It means that my living room has a beautiful Christmas tree with lots
of fairy lights on it. There’s something cosy about the nights getting dark so
early. And, yes, it’s cold but there are lots of hot drinks.

And it means Christmas
is coming!

I love Christmas. Time
spent with friends and family. Great food. And a time set aside to remember the
crazy, beautiful truth of a baby being born two thousand years ago who was God
with us.

And that’s why I love
this season of Advent. Advent means arrival and this season is about
anticipating the arrival of Christ.

This is at least my
third year reading a book called Preparing for Jesus. It starts on December 1st
and goes right up to January 6th with four pages or so to read each
day.

It journeys through all
the different characters and it has been such a great way for me to re-enter
this old, old story in a new way.

It is so good to have this
season to reflect – especially before New Year’s Eve rolls around.

A question a friend posted
on Facebook that is a good part of preparing for Christmas:

"In gut-level
honesty, what rules our lives as we prepare for Christmas? What has power over
us?" (B.M.)

I’m excited to continue
to celebrate this season in this new country and to continue to anticipate the
arrival of Christ.